Australians warned terrorists could target foreigners in Lebanon
Terrorists in Lebanon could attack “anytime anywhere” as Hamas expands its jihad recruitment, according to a new warning from Australian diplomats, as Israel draws up plans to invade.
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Australian diplomats have warned terrorists in Lebanon could attack “anytime anywhere” including in capital Beirut as Hamas begins recruiting for a new resistance against Israel.
The warning also comes as the Israel Defence Force has reportedly drawn up plans to invade southern Lebanon post the Gaza conflict.
Hamas has initiated a new group in Lebanon – Vanguards of the Al-Aqsa Flood – calling on “all heroic jihad fighters” in the country to finish what militants started on October 7.
It called on men and youth to terrify the enemy through victory or martyrdom “in order to emphasise the role of the Palestinian people, in all places it is found, in resisting the occupation by all available and legitimate means, to complete what was achieved by Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”.
The Al-Aqsa Flood was the name Hamas and other militant groups gave to their bloody rampage on Israel from Gaza on October 7 that saw more than 1139 Israelis murdered and 242 taken hostage.
The move to create a Hamas specific base in Lebanon, notably among refugee Palestinians in the country, drew condemnation in Lebanon.
The Lebanese government and security analysts likened the move to what occurred in the 1970s when Palestinian groups attempted to create “Fatah Land” south of Beirut and were responsible for hundreds of deaths.
In October the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advised Australians to not travel to the country and those there to consider leaving.
It has now updated its advice and warns the security situation had deteriorated further to the point armed conflict could occur anywhere with little notice, not just in the south where Hezbollah and Israel had been exchanging gun and rocket fire since October.
It cites “recent events” in neighbouring Israel and the war in Gaza and the possibility of Australians being targeted.
“Terrorist attacks could occur anytime and anywhere, including in Beirut. Suicide bombings and attacks involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs), air raids and kidnappings have occurred in Lebanon. Extremists may target foreigners,” it says in its updated advice.
“If the security situation in Lebanon deteriorates, it’s likely that Beirut airport would close, and you may be unable to leave for an extended period”.
The Times of London has also reported Israeli military has drawn up plans for war cabinet approval for after the Gaza conflict, for ground forces to push Hezbollah in southern Lebanon north over the symbolic Litani River.
DFAT has been keeping its Smartraveller advisory under close review with near constant risk assessments particularly in flashpoints around the globe. On average there are at least 75 conflict flashpoints in the world at any given time.
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